Piperato named state president of County Clerks Association

Rockland County Clerk Paul Piperato is the new president of the New York state Association of County Clerks.

The ceremony took place Monday night during the organization’s annual legislative conference in Albany.

Piperato was elected to the post by his colleagues, his deputy clerk, Debbie Vobroucek, said Tuesday. There are 62 county clerks in New York state.

The 53-year-old Piperato, a Democrat from Thiells, was elected county clerk in 2005 and re-elected in 2009. He previously served as a deputy county clerk for 16 years.

The Rockland County Clerk’s Office serves as clerk to the County and Supreme courts, and is the custodian of all county records, including the filing, recording and storing of millions of court and real property documents.

The office administers several services, including U.S. passports, U.S. Department of Homeland Security naturalization ceremonies, New York state notary publics, business certificates, pistol licenses and an archives building.

Piperato told The Journal News that to assist customers with accessing records, navigating filing requirements and fees, and understanding application procedures, the office has developed a comprehensive web site, www.rocklandcountyclerk.com.

The site contains instructions, downloadable forms, and links to other sites, as well as free access to view and print records.

In 2008, Piperato launched the FAVOR program to provide discounts for services and purchases to veterans. It has since been adopted by 31 other counties.

In 2009, with other local organizations, Piperato began promoting a series of ongoing workshops for people interested in starting their own small business, offering tips on registering a business, creating a business plan and obtaining financial support. The action was in response to public inquiries for such information, he said.

In 2011, Piperato embraced the electronic filing of records as Rockland became a test site for such filings.

He continues to stress support for e-filing, as he did during remarks to his colleagues Monday.

“We are now clearly at an important turning point in how we conduct business,” Piperato said. “Technology will drive our future and we must be ahead of the curve. So together let us share ideas and look at ways to continue to excel given the current economic conditions.”

His list of priorities for the year include expanding the electronic filing of court records, launching the electronic filing of land records, hosting additional business seminars, increasing organ donor network efforts and developing a FAVOR program in every New York county.